In a brief statement, the Municipality of Lausanne said that there was an urgent need for help for the population affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and therefore donated a total of 80,000 francs to Heyva Sor a Kurdistan and Mediar to be delivered to the victims of the earthquake.

“Following the severe earthquake that hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, 6 February, - said the statement - our municipality has decided to provide emergency assistance to assist the affected population. 80.000 francs were allocated to Medair, whose headquarters are in Ecublens and to the Swiss Kurdistan Red Crescent (Heyva Sor) whose headquarters are in Lausanne. The two organizations operate in both Turkish and Syrian territories and provide the population with urgent shelter and basic needs.”

Lausanne Municipal Committee member Sevgi Koyuncu said: “The assistance provided by the municipality for earthquake victims is very important.”

Derya Çelik, another Kurdish municipal committee member, underlined the importance of the donation. Çelik stated that efforts should be made to push the Turkish state to allow the aid of non-governmental organizations to pass.

Increased support for Heyva Sor campaign

On the other hand, support for the campaign launched by Heyva Sor a Kurdistan for earthquake victims continues to increase. Kurdish women living in Zürich sold their home-made food at a stand in Albisriederplatz and donated the income to Heyva Sor. The Kurdish friendship group Kocharal visited the food stand. Kurdish friends in Kocharal sold the items they had collected among themselves in the market and donated 1,500 Francs to Heyva Sor.

Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Campaign member and Mathare Social Justice Center Coordinator, Kenyan Gacheke Gachihi, visited the stand, as did Indian and Colombian activists.

All activists called on everyone to join the campaign launched by Heyva Sor a Kurdistan for earthquake victims.